I wish to have a shopping spree
Jesus
16
cancer
Jesus' WishMakers
Meet Wish Kid Jesus
When Hortencia first noticed a bump on the side of her son Jesus’s neck, she did not know it would later lead to a shocking diagnosis.
After a biopsy at Nemours Children’s Health confirmed Jesus had cancer, he initially began receiving chemotherapy treatments every two months before eventually having to undergo a stronger course of treatment. Jesus’s social worker informed Hortencia in the hospital that her son was eligible for a wish.
Jesus wished for a shopping spree and his wish was an unforgettable day! Even before they set off to begin their shopping excursion, Jesus felt the specialness of the experience.
“It was very exciting for him to see a limo in our neighborhood and outside of our house,” said Hortencia. “None of us had ever been on a limousine and so that part was very cool for him.”
Jesus and Hortencia spent the day picking out new clothes and shoes and enjoying time together. Seeing the joy on her son’s face was something Hortencia remembers fondly about their day.
“I could see his happiness on his face. It made me so happy to see him have fun and enjoy the experience,” said Hortencia.
Due to the effects of his treatment, Jesus hadn’t left his home very much before his wish. When Hortencia looks back on Jesus’s wish journey, she knows the experience provided her son, who is now 17-years-old, the strength and hope to keep fighting.
“I was very happy that he got out of the house and we were able to plan this experience,” said Hortencia. “It made me happy that we were all together.”
Meet WishMaker Alaa
Alaa is a volunteer who helps grant wishes for children battling critical illnesses. What started as a trip to visit family turned into an opportunity for Alaa to serve the local community!
“I always loved Make-A-Wish so deeply,” said Alaa.
Alaa, who speaks Arabic, is vital to the success of the organization by helping bridge the language gap for children and their families and Make-A-Wish. Bilingual volunteers like Alaa are essential to bridging communication and ensuring every eligible child receives their wish!
Alaa is passionate about giving back and loves witnessing the joy and happiness on the faces of wish kids! She believes that anyone can make a difference in the lives of others through volunteerism.
“Helping each other is a noble thing to do,” said Alaa. “If you can offer some time and effort for other people, I believe that’s what humanity should do to each other.”
Meet WishMaker Vij
Incyte, a global biopharmaceutical company, is a corporate donor and supporter of Make-A-Wish!
Incyte is passionate about using the power of scientific research to find innovative solutions for patients. The company is also passionate about helping grant wishes for children battling critical illnesses!
“We have seen firsthand how granting a wish and Make-A-Wish provides joy and hope to children and their families,” said Incyte. “The ability to look forward to their wish helps to ease the burden of their disease and treatment.”
Incyte’s partnership with Make-A-Wish has been a rewarding experience for all involved and has strengthened their commitment to supporting the local community. The most rewarding part of their involvement has been being able to see the happiness on the faces of children and their families and celebrate their wishes!
Incyte hosted a special wish celebration for Seth, who wished to go to Disney!
“Being able to see our employees wearing Mickey & Minnie ears and watching the joy on Seth and his family’s faces when he realized this celebration was for him was so amazing,” said Incyte.
Vij joined Incyte in May 2016, where he serves as Executive Vice President and leads many of the company’s teams within the Global Medical Affairs, Product, and Partnership Strategy group. When he was 10 years old he was diagnosed with osteosarcoma and received a wish. Read his wish story here.
Meet WishMaker Ali
Ali serves as an Oncology Social Work Navigator at Nemours Children's Health, Delaware Valley! She has been working with Make-A-Wish for two years and has witnessed firsthand the impact a wish has on a child battling a critical illness.
“The impact a wish makes on a patient and family stretches far and wide,” said Ali. “It gives children the encouragement they need to keep fighting or to celebrate the cancer battle they have fought.”
While facing unimaginable circumstances, Ali knows how important it is for children to feel a sense of support and encouragement while they fight their illnesses. It is a sense of community that Make-A-Wish has the power to cultivate.
“It is important for children to feel a strong sense of community and support while faced with critical illnesses,” said Ali. “It gives them strength to keep going while also encouraging them to still be a kid.”
Through her work, Ali has learned profound lessons from children who are fighting heavy battles. She continues to be inspired by their courage and appreciates the impact the organization has in making their lives a little brighter.
“Wish kids have taught me the true definition of strength and resilience,” said Ali. “As they are in the midst of battling something so difficult, they are lively and excited to have an opportunity to have fun and spend quality time with their families.
Meet WishMaker Michela
Michela serves as Senior Wish Manager at the chapter! In her role, Michela helps to grant wishes while also bridging language barriers in the organization to ensure every eligible child receives the same magical experience they deserve!
In her role, she oversees and supports the team of wish managers at the chapter. Together, she and the team work to ensure each wish is executed seamlessly from start to finish! She also plans and executes wishes for Spanish-speaking families and assists with wishes coming in from different chapters.
Over her years at the chapter, Michela has been part of countless memorable wishes. One in particular that is special to her is Anavah’s wish for a goldendoodle puppy.
“She shared she wanted a puppy because coming from a different country and speaking a different language she had a hard time just making friends. She just wanted a puppy to be her best friend,” said Michela.
Michela has witnessed firsthand the joy and happiness the organization has had on wish kids. As a multilingual speaker, Michela encourages all speakers to become involved in the organization. By helping close language gaps, the organization and wish process can become more inclusive and accessible for all wish kids and families!
“I've had the privilege to be part of the process and see the difference and the impact that it has on kids,” said Michela. “When you see the smile of a child during the wish, it’s so impactful.”
Meet WishMaker Laura
Laura serves as the Director Development for Delaware at the chapter! Her job includes raising funds to ensure all wishes are granted to every eligible child battling a critical illness in Delaware!
Throughout Laura’s time at the chapter, her most memorable event has been the Celebration of Wishes! She loved seeing so many people come together to support the work of the organization and its impact on the community.
Laura is passionate about the ripple effect that a wish creates in the lives of children and the renewed strength that each wish provides to everyone involved.
“The impact of a wish extends far beyond a child,” said Laura. “A wish is transformative and powerful, bringing joy and hope to the entire family during a time when they need it most.”